(NewsNation) — Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby, who turned in Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, is expected to speak at 3 p.m. CT.
The 22-year-old man accused of assassinating conservative political activist Charlie Kirk appeared in court Tuesday wearing a protective vest and special gown in jail.
Robinson showed no emotion during the virtual hearing as he faced seven charges, including aggravated murder and witness tampering, in connection with Kirk’s death last week at Utah Valley University.
Charlie Kirk suspect text messages reveal weeklong planning
Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray confirmed he is seeking the death penalty against Robinson.
Charging documents revealed Robinson’s mother first recognized him from surveillance photos released by authorities. When she called to ask his whereabouts, Robinson claimed he was sick in bed.
Robinson’s father became suspicious after police described finding the murder weapon — a bolt-action rifle that matched one he had given his son. When the father asked Robinson to send photos proving he still had the rifle, it triggered a text conversation between Robinson and his roommate that ultimately led to his confession.
past year, “leaning more to the left” and becoming “more pro-gay and trans rights-oriented.” She said Robinson had begun dating his roommate, described as a biological male transitioning genders.
When asked why he committed the murder, Robinson told his parents, “There is too much evil and the guy spreads too much hate,” referring to Kirk.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah native, has also been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. 
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah native, has also been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. 
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah native, has also been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. 
This photo released by the Utah Governor’s Office on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 shows Tyler Robinson. (Utah Governor’s Office via AP)
Text messages between Robinson and his roommate showed Robinson had been planning the attack “a bit over a week.” After confessing to the killing, Robinson directed his roommate to a note he had left under his keyboard and asked him to delete their text conversations.
In the messages, Robinson said he was concerned about retrieving his grandfather’s rifle than about taking Kirk’s life.
“I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle,” Robinson wrote, according to charging documents. “I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints.”
Police found Robinson’s fingerprints on the rifle’s trigger, along with DNA evidence on a towel wrapped around the weapon and a screwdriver found on the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired.
